Reference

Reference:

The word reference comes from the word refer which means to turn to for aid or information.

The part of library administration which deals with the assistance given to readers in their use of resources of library.

Reference service is the process of establishing contact between reader and his document in a personal way. His documents mean every one of the precise document needed by him at the moment.

Functions of Reference Service:

Two main functions of Reference:

·        Indirect Functions

·        Direct Functions

The six important functions of Reference Service:

·        Guidance Function

·        Information Function

·        Appraisal Function

·        Supervision Function

·        Bibliographic Function

·        Instruction Function

·        Supervision Function:

·        The proper organization of facilities

·        Selection of materials

·        Direction of personnel

·        Study of clientele

The proper organization of facilities:

An information desk, a telephone, inters library room service, etc.

Shelf-list, catalogue cards, i-e, author card, subject card, translator card, series card and these should be arranged in classified order.

Selection of materials:

Dictionaries, encyclopedia, year book, graphic dictionaries, atlases, handbooks, manuals, indexes, bibliography, government publications and audio-visual sources

Direction of personnel:

These are the heart of a reference collection and major subject of this text-book. A typical reference collection is therefore as improbable as a typical reference room.

Study of clientele:

Reference is to library service what intelligence is to the military..